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https://developers.facebook.com/tools/debug/og/object/Doing some quick research on what’s up with Facebook and GIFs. They’re strange. They work, sometimes. FB changes the rules on us and doesn’t advertise them well to start. But, what can we find about it’s limits? https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instant-articles/reference/animated-gif Suggests a 120px limit. Confession: not sure what scope the developers.facebook deets cover. Future project. https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1006874066021923 Suggests an apparent 4gb limit, but recommends <8MB and ends in .GIF. No reference to GIFV. Note this is Facebook/business and references features not available to the average user. https://community.imgur.com/t/gifreview-on-facebook/15059/19 A sweet tip mentions GIF is typically treated as an image, and GIFV is treated as a video. Also, “As a rule, GIF files under 15Mb work on FB, but no smaller than 5mb. For Twitter, you can upload GIF files under 5mb and they will autoplay. Pasting links do not work.“

I’ve been slowly reading through Unfinished Tales, super excited to get to the origin of the Istari. It was taking so long I was worried I read through that chapter while half awake and didn’t remember it, but last night I got to it finally. Here’s a summery and some thoughts which might be cleaned up and given citation later. The Valar recognized they needed to send help to Middle Earth due to Sauron gaining power. In a meeting two Maiar volunteered, Four were asked to go. They would arrive starting 1000 years into the Third Age, arriving in secret except to Círdan. They would be in the bodies of Men, their angelic power lingering but limited. Two Blue Wizards would go into the East. Little is known of them. Saruman volunteered, a foreshadow to him abandoning his mission for his own devices. He was the White Wizard, head of the order, and thought to be the most powerful. He was also the first to arrive, showing the significance in his relative power. Middle Earth is a universe of decline; those who are born (or in this case, made into flesh) earlier are typically more powerful in their defining features and abilities.

The Brown Wizard, Radagast , was asked by Yavanna. He abandoned his mission to live with the plants and animals; perhaps a folly that could of been avoided if not asked by Yavanna. I question her wisdom, seeing she has mad made requests before (see the creation of Ents, although they turned out pretty good).

Gandalf the Grey Wizard was asked, and in his wisdom said he did not think he was a good choice. The Valar assured him his thoughts indicated he was the right choice. This wisdom was seen by Círdan and he was given the Ring of Fire.

A note about Gandal and fire; he seems to have an affinity with it. Fire, fireworks, the Ring of Fire and smoking pipe weed -- a list I do not think is exhaustive but all that comes to mind. He says he has the Flame of __ in him. This flame is even more radiant after coming back form the dead as Gandalf the White.

With this I’d like to note the significance of colour. Gandalf the Grey fears the power of Saruman the White, however Saruman declares himself to be of Many Colours. In doing this he, erm, reveals his true colours. Gandalf, as the White, defeats Saruman of Many Colours.